God judges human corruption, but Noah finds favor

6:1 When humankind began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, 6:2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of humankind were beautiful. Thus they took wives for themselves from any they chose. 6:3 So the Lord said, “My spirit will not remain in humankind indefinitely, since they are mortal. They will remain for 120 more years.” 6:4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days (and also after this) when the sons of God were having sexual relations with the daughters of humankind, who gave birth to their children. They were the mighty heroes of old, the famous men. 6:5 But the Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind had become great on the earth. Every inclination of the thoughts of their minds was only evil all the time. 6:6 The Lord regretted that he had made humankind on the earth, and he was highly offended. 6:7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe humankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth – everything from humankind to animals, including creatures that move on the ground and birds of the air, for I regret that I have made them.” 6:8 But Noah found favor in the sight of the Lord.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Genesis 6:1-8 shows a world where sin had become deep and constant. God sees the evil, announces judgment, and grieves over mankind’s corruption. Yet Noah finds favor in the Lord’s sight, and grace begins the path to rescue.

As people multiplied, sin did not lessen. The passage says that human desire crossed God’s boundary, showing how far corruption had spread. God then declared that his Spirit would not remain with mankind forever, because they are mortal, and judgment was approaching.

The Lord saw that wickedness on the earth had become great. The thoughts and inclinations of the human heart were only evil all the time. This strong language shows that the problem was not only outward actions, but a deep problem within people themselves.

The Lord was grieved by this corruption and spoke of wiping mankind from the earth. The judgment would reach human life and the creatures connected with human stewardship. But verse 8 gives the turning point: Noah found favor in the sight of the Lord. Grace appears before deliverance, and it preserves a remnant for what follows.

• Human multiplication was not the problem; corruption was.
• The passage describes deep inward evil, not only bad outward acts.
• God’s judgment is holy and just.
• God’s grief is real, but it is not a mistake.
• Noah’s rescue begins with favor, not human achievement.

• Warning: human wickedness brings God’s judgment.
• Warning: persistent corruption is not ignored by God.
• Promise: Noah found favor in the Lord’s sight.
• Implied call: turn from evil and receive God’s grace with humility.

This passage stands in primeval history before Abraham, Israel, and David. It shows why the world needs judgment and why future promise must rest on grace. Noah’s favor preserves the human race and the created order so the promised line can continue toward Christ.

Do not treat sin as small or only external. Ask God to search your heart, because the passage says evil begins inside. Also remember that rescue comes by favor, not by pride. Like Noah, sinners must depend on God’s grace.

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